WILLEMSTAD – The substantive appeal hearing in the criminal case against former Curaçao parliamentarian Michelangelo “Lo” Martines has been postponed until March 11, 2027, after his defense requested additional time to examine telephone and cell tower data submitted by the Public Prosecutor's Office.
Martines, who was previously sentenced to seven years in prison for his involvement in large-scale international drug trafficking and the laundering of more than XCG 2 million, continues to maintain his innocence.
The defense argued that telephone records and cell tower information were provided at a late stage in the proceedings, leaving insufficient time for an independent expert to analyze the material before the scheduled hearing.
The defense wants the expert to examine the telecommunications evidence as part of its challenge to the earlier conviction.
The Joint Court of Justice agreed to postpone the substantive hearing to allow the additional examination to take place.
However, the judges rejected a separate request to release Martines from detention while the appeal proceedings continue.
The Court considered the seriousness of the offenses for which he was convicted sufficient grounds to maintain his detention pending the appeal.
The defense has been instructed to submit its expert report no later than December 1, 2026.
A procedural hearing is scheduled for January 21, 2027, followed by the substantive appeal hearing on March 11.
Martines was convicted in the lower court in connection with an international drug trafficking operation involving routes between Curaçao, Panama, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
According to the earlier judgment, Martines played a coordinating role in arranging large-scale drug shipments across international borders.
The court also found that he was involved in laundering more than XCG 2 million.
The original judgment was particularly critical of Martines' conduct because of his position as an elected representative.
The lower court concluded that he had abused his position as a parliamentarian while participating in serious criminal activities.
Martines has consistently denied the allegations and is seeking to overturn his conviction through the appeal process.
The postponement means that the case will remain unresolved for several more months while the defense completes its examination of the telecommunications evidence.
The appeal judges will ultimately determine whether the earlier conviction and seven-year prison sentence should be upheld, modified, or overturned.